Hayden Panettiere endorses John McCain

(Some strong language)

Don't cry for me Sarah Palin!

A must see for the Evita fan!  

Obamarama! (A.K.A. Stacey found the infomercial video for me!)

Here it is, people!  Watch, enjoy, and prepare to be hope-ified!  

Borat (and friends) say DON'T VOTE!

Again, thanks to Stacey: 

The infomercial

 I just got through watching the Obama infomercial that was aired at 7 CST tonight.  The entire thing was touching, full of stories about everyday people like me, my peers, my friends, my co-workers, my bosses, teachers, family, etc . . . about thier life struggles, what the economy has done to all but destroy the hard work they've put into achieving the American Dream.  

Listening to Obama speak with such passion, such hope, such optimism . . . watching the crowd at his rally today steadily increase in excitement . . . witnessing the hope and inspiration flood over everyone in attendance . . . I couldn't help but start to feel it, too.  It wasn't long before I noticed goosebumps popping up all up my arms.  I can honestly say that I cannot remember a time in which I was so utterly filled with such an overwelming feeling of hope for my country, my future, and the future of the children I will someday have.  

If you didn't see it, I highly recommend finding it online as soon as it's available.  I'm sure it won't be long.  If I find it, I'll post it here to share with you all.  

Don't forget to vote, folks.  

Charles meets Barack

I have to admit . . . I got a little choked up there towards the end!  

More political talk!

So, I'm kind of excited!  Debbie Halvorson, who I talked about in my last post, is going to be speaking at a local Teamsters Hall on Saturday morning, and I plan on being there.  I really look forward to getting to meet the person I've been canvassing for!  (And after meeting her, I'll be out canvassing! :P )

She *was* at my school a few weeks ago for the candidate's forum that was held there, but I had class immediately before and after (and, well, during, too, but I skipped that class! ), so if she did come early or stick around for a meet and greet, I wasn't able to be there for it.  

I'm looking forward to a weekend of lots of walking, possibly some phone calling, very little sleeping, and eating on the go (Ok, I'm pretty used to those last two).  I can't wait!  I'm so proud to feel like I'm really part of this election.  I don't know what it was that drew me so strongly to immerse myself so deeply into all of this, but I'm not regretting it one bit, no matter what the end result.  

Just 7 more days until election day!  Don't forget to vote ! 

Debbie Halvorson for Congress!

This is the candidate I've been out canvassing for the most: 

Debbie Halvorson was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1997.  In 2005, she became the first female senate majority leader in Illinois history.

She is running for Congress in the 11th district in Illinois, hoping to replace retiring congressmen Jerry Weller. 

You can read about Debbie Halvorson's viewpoints on the issues HERE.  

Number five? Seriously?

Someone landed on my blog today by typing in the search term "Grammas boobs."  

No, I'm not joking.  How in the hell did someone land on my blog by typing in THAT!? 

So, I decided to do a little test . Turns out, I'm the FIFTH SEARCH RESULT when you type 'grammas boobs' into Google.  

WTF!?  

EDITED TO ADD: After posting this blog entry, I'm now the first result.  Should I be proud?  Do I win a prize?  If so, do I even *want* the prize?

Canvassing, Part II

More pics from canvassing.  (It will only allow me to post so many pictures per post)

P.S. There are no pics of me here . . . the only picture of me from the day is on Mike's camera. If he decides to email it to me, I'll add it, but otherwise, no me! :P

Canvassing for the Democrats

Starting at 9:30 this morning, I spent the day canvassing (for the second time) in two different towns in two different counties, and attended a "Get Out the Vote" event held by a local Democratic State Representative in between.  

I had a BLAST! Who knew canvassing could be fun?  

I took a few poor quality iPhone pics while I was out.  

My fellow college democrats, Brie, Brian, and McKenzie, and Mike Piacenti from the LaSalle and Bureau County Democrats: 

I wish I would have gotten pictures during the luncheon and earlier in the day, but I didn't think about it.

Also, Mike and I infiltrated a local gun show full of mostly gun-loving republicans (a few of the candidates we were canvassing for have been endorsed by the NRA) . . . it would have been pretty interesting to have gotten some pictures in there, of Mike talkin' em up!


More pictures in the next post.

Wasssuuuuup???

Remember the 'wassup' Budweiser comercials?  

Here's an updated version.  

Political ramblings.

Ok, so maybe I've let politics take over my blog (and my life) lately.  So what?  

I just happen to feel that this election is extremely important.  Maybe it's a sign that I'm finally starting to grow up a bit, but many of the issues this year are hitting a little too close for comfort.  I've not paid much attention to politics in the past, perhaps because I didn't really see a direct connection to how things affected me.  That is no longer the case.  

The economy is in the gutter.  I worry more each day about the availability of educaitonal finanical aid, and student loans.  Politics may very well decide whether or not my dreams get to come true.  

Not only that, but more than ever the issue of gender inequality is slapping me in the face everywhere I turn.  I've worked hard to get where I am in life, and I have a long way to go.  When I am done with school and start my career, I want to be able to earn the same amount of money as a similarly qualified individual, regardless of gender.  I don't want to be passed over for promotions in favor of less qualified men.  I want to be taken seriously.  More importantly, when I have children someday, I want them to grow up in a society that treats women with respect and dignity.  

Because of this, a McCain/Palin whitehouse scares the living daylights out of me.  I don't want my rights as a woman stripped away from me.  I don't want to be forced to pay for my own rape kit if I'm ever raped.  (In fact, I think that forcing women to pay for thier own rape kits is a great way to deter them from seeking medical attention . . . real nice).  

I do want to have a president and vice president who actively work towards protecting women's rights and promoting gender equality.  I had a look at Barack Obama's website a while back, when I was researching policies and issues . . . I was taken aback at how much he's done for domestic violence and sexual assault victims.  You can see for yourself here.   

I'm rambling, I know . . . but with only 11 days left until election day, I'm feeling the tension.  I'm scared and hopeful at the same time.  In 11 days America will either turn down a very dark and very scary road, or down a bright and beautiful path towards equality, diversity, and hope.  

I can't stress enough how important it is to get out and vote.  Do it.  It's your duty as a citizen of the United States of America.  

See you at the voting booth on November 4th! 

P.S.  I may or may not have lied about stopping with the poltiical posts.  ;)  Don't worry, though.  Only 11 days left.  

I admit it! It's all my fault!

I'm so sorry and ashamed! :( 

McCain's claim that he is not the same as George W . . .

. . . is crap!  Even HE says that he votes with Bush over 90% of the time!  

I also just realized that my last SEVERAL posts have been political!  I really should try and get some other stuff up here, shouldn't I?  

A message to Sarah Palin

Found this through my cousin Stacey: 

Vote For Hope

Great video by MC Yogi.  

Obama '08 - Vote For Hope from MC Yogi on Vimeo.

It's Canada for me!

There's an expletive or two, so perhaps you shouldn't watch this with the kiddos around.  

Yay for mobility!

So, yesterday I ordered a new laptop!  For a few months now I have been researching laptops so I can make sure I get one that is solid and dependable, and will last me several years through college.  I've been googling laptop reviews, stalking forums, and grilling my techie friends for information and opinions.  

It didn't take me long to settle on the Lenovo T61.  However, shortly after I settled on it, they stopped making it! It's replacement, the T400 was more expensive than the T61 (gee, maybe that's why the T61 was so cheap . . . they were about to STOP MAKING IT!).  To my delight, the price of the T400 soon went down.  Way down.  Then I discovered the educational discount, making it even cheaper.  

Needless to say, I was in love. :) I've been anxious for a couple of months now, and yesterday, I was finally able to order it!  

I'd stalked the forums enough to know that the shipping process isn't exactly the best, and that I would probably have to wait a while.  My estimated ship date is October 20th . . . two full weeks after ordering it!  How am I supposed to wait that long!?  

So, in a few weeks, hopefully I will have pictures of my new bouncing baby toy. :P

Rub it in, why don't ya!

There are far too many people who have landed on my page in the last few days using the search terms "Sympathy Card Cubs."  

Come on, people!  Enough rubbing it in already!